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Mafair's Staff

Amy was appointed pastor of Mafair United Methodist Church in June 2016. She gave her first sermon here on July 3, 2016. She and her husband Chris enjoy a “never-boring” life with their three daughters: Anna Grace (born in 2004) and twins Callie and Cassie (born in 2008). They have two “mischievous” dogs, Bella Bigfoot & Molly (the toothbrush-eater).

Amy actually hails from the Tri-Cities. She grew up at First United Methodist Church in Bristol, TN. Both her parents and her brother and his family still worship there. While attending Marshall University, Amy traveled the world when she was named a distinguished Yeager Scholar and studied at Oxford University in England for a summer. She also studied for a semester in Germany. She graduated from Marshall in 1994 with degrees in psychology and German. Amy received her M.Div. from Duke Divinity School in 1997 and soon after began her ministry. She most recently served as lead pastor of First Farragut United Methodist Church in Knoxville. She had previously served as pastor in Maryville, the Chattanooga area and in rural Appalachia.

Amy believes the church exists to spread the “Good News” of Jesus Christ for the people “who aren’t here yet.” She’s convinced that the future of the church lies in recovering that understanding. Her heart and spirit are in love with the church! She desires to follow the United Methodist vision of making disciples for the transformation of the world. We begin by sharing the light – showing our Christian love and grace – to our darkened world around us.

Ken Sprinkle was born in Asheville, NC, and grew up in Knoxville. He’s been married for 46½ years to Teresa Green Sprinkle. They have four sons and one daughter, and eight grandchildren (five boys and three girls). Teresa has pictures. He has taught two grandsons to fish (so far). One of them can take a bluegill off the hook.

He plays the guitar, mandolin, claw-hammer banjo, dulcimer, autoharp, and iPhone. For relaxation he does woodworking, and for stress he plays golf.

He has been highly involved in Boy Scouts, serving in leadership in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, District Committees, and Council adult leader training (Introduction to Outdoor Skills & Wood Badge). He is currently a Den Leader with his #1 grandson, who will cross-over into Scouting in March. He was an Eagle Scout himself, and all four sons are Eagle Scouts.

He is involved in the SonRise Emmaus Community here in Kingsport, having served as one of the Spiritual Directors on the Men’s Walk #119 this past October.

He is a UMC Pastor with 43 years of service in the Holston Conference. He had seven appointments during that time and retired in 2016. He has a B.A. degree in English from Emory & Henry College, an M.Div from Asbury Theological Seminary, and a D.Min from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (focus in sermon preparation).

Susan started working at Mafair UMC in October 2013 as the Financial Administrator. Starting in August of 2017, her position was changed to Office Manager/Financial Administrator. So now, Susan’s duties included financial oversight of the church and additional office duties.

Susan was born and raised in Abingdon, VA. She is married to Steve and they have a son Aaron who was born in July of 1997. Aaron was born with CHARGE Syndrome, a deaf-blind syndrome. Susan graduated in 1989 from Appalachian State University, in Boone, NC with a business degree in Hospitality Management. She met Steve at her first hotel job in Atlanta. Before coming to work at Mafair, Susan had worked at Boones Creek United Methodist Church, as the Administrative Assistant, since October 2007. Susan continued working, there in addition to working at Mafair, until Boones Creek UMC closed in September 2016.

Susan, Steve and Aaron love to travel, especially on cruise ships, and spending time at the beach with Susan’s large family. Susan has spent and continues to spend countless hours studying, researching and advocating for Aaron and others with special needs. One of Susan’s dreams is to start a special needs outreach ministry here at Mafair.

Ray joined Mafair's membership on Easter 2017 and comes to us with experience as a United Methodist Church staff member from other churches in various roles. His knowledge of the UMC and our own internal Mafair structure – as well as technical knowledge in software application and social media use – helps us and keeps him very busy.

Ray is originally from the Chicago suburbs but says he got to Kingsport as soon as he could. He is the proud dad of Denise, Scott, Lloyd, and Laura. In his spare time, Ray enjoys all things computers and likes just about every kind of music.

Janet Lyon was born in Kingsport and attended Sullivan County Schools, graduating from Sullivan Central High School. She earned her Music Education Degree from East Tennessee State University; Vocal Performance and Piano with Graduate Studies in Vocal Performance and Piano at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas.

She has been a soloist with the Johnson City Chorale, Kingsport Symphony Orchestra Chorus, ETSU Opera Workshop, North Texas University Opera, Boris Godovsky Opera Workshop. She has held roles with the Johnson City Community Theatre, Theatre Bristol, Kingsport Theatre Guild, and Olde West Theatre productions. Her professional positions have included Director of Music at Mafair United Methodist Church 1978-1989; Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church 1989-1998; First Broad Street United Methodist Church 1998-2008.

Janet married James Lyon in 1977. Jim is the Director of Music at Colonial Heights United Methodist Church in Kingsport. They have one son, Devin Parker Lyon, who graduated from Vanderbilt University and then received his Juris Prudence of Law and a Major in Business from the University of Tennessee in 2013, passing the bar exam in July of 2013. Since then, Devin has been employed as an attorney for the City of Knoxville. He also is the Minister of Music at Colonial Heights United Methodist Church in Knoxville. In his 'spare' time, he is the pianist for UT faculty and students in recitals and juries. Devin lives in Knoxville with his wife of two years, Abby Puzzo Lyon who is also a professional musician. They met while marching Carolina Crown (Drum Corps International) from 2004-2008.

Betsy: I was born and raised in Jonesborough, TN. After graduating from college in 1982 as a Medical Assistant, I worked at Johnson City Medical Center for 7 years. In 1990 I met Eric Rowe, who worked as the Youth Director at my church before he joined the Army during Desert Storm. We were married in 1991.

During my husband’s 5 years in the Army, we lived in Georgia and then Kentucky. I continued working in hospitals wherever we were stationed until the birth of our first child in 1993. In 1995 Eric left the service, and we moved back to Tennessee. He returned to college to get his Teaching Certificate and shortly after obtaining it began working as Youth Director full time here at Mafair. Eric started teaching school in 2002 and changed to part-time here. I had been a stay-at-home mom since the birth of our first child, so I began helping out with the Youth Program on a volunteer basis.

In 2005, our youngest entered kindergarten, so I rejoined the workforce here at Mafair. Years have passed quickly, now our youngest is a junior in high school and our oldest is a senior in college. God has blessed me with the most wonderful job anyone could have… I get to work with some amazing young people in the Youth Program, and I get to have fun and travel with our Young At Heart group. Mafair definitely has something to offer everyone.

Eric: I am Eric Rowe, the other half of Betsy. I would like to add that she was not a youth when I met her at Jonesboro Methodist. I have served as Youth Director here at Mafair since September of 1998. I also teach World History at Sullivan South High School, where I coach football and track. I was raised on a dairy farm in Limestone, TN, graduated from David Crockett High School, East Tennessee State University and Tusculum College, and served as an Armor Officer in the United States Army. God has blessed my life, and He continues to work within our youth group and our church. We have many super volunteers who are super examples for youth and parent alike. You are welcome to come and see how Mafair UMC will make a difference in your family’s life, whatever your age.

Annie Goddard is a recent ETSU graduate with a Political Science major and a minor in legal studies. Annie has dreamed to be and has a call to be in ministry and is thrilled to be stepping into her first staff ministry position as the Kidz Director at Mafair UMC, her home church.

Annie loves to be in nature, hiking, kayaking, or hammocking with her journal and God. She loves to read and her favorite movie is Lilo and Stitch. Annie's favorite ice cream is either moose tracks or strawberry.

Annie's dream for Mafair Kidz is to always work to grow closer to God and each other, and have fun while doing it!

Annie and her fiancee Jackson Coleman are engaged to be married and planning a spring wedding here at Mafair.

Lisa Wright
Nursery Worker

Lisa was born in England, where she lived until she was 16. She moved with her family to Orlando, FL, where I worked for Walt Disney World, followed by nursing school and working at an urgent care. She met her husband there, and they have been married 14 years and have 3 wonderful children. They moved to Kingsport 10 years ago to give their children a better life.

Lisa went back to school to gain her BA in Education, and she is graduating this year with her Master's Degree. She works at Johnson Elementary School as a Special Education Assistant with the hopes of gaining her own classroom soon. As her children have become teenagers, she craves being around young children, which led her to Mafair.